By Yiep Joseph
A civil society group has called on the Mediation Team and the Government of Kenya to persuade NAS leader General Thomas Cirilo and other opposition to join the ongoing talks in Nairobi.
According to the statement extended to this outlet, the group appreciated the Kenyan government for their efforts in the Tumaini talks and urged them to continue to engage those not yet part of the Tumaini talks.
The South Sudan Civil Society Forum (SSCSF), in its statement, expressed that involving all opposition groups in the Tumaini talks remains a cornerstone for inclusive peace.
The group urged the mediators to embark on an initiative that would persuade those who still had no part in the Nairobi talks to join the peace wagon.
“We also urge continued engagement with holdout groups, including General Thomas Cirilo, General Simon Gatwech, Emmanuel Ajawin, and others, to ensure their meaningful participation in the Tumaini Peace Initiative for sustainable peace,” the statement read.
The activists appreciated General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the Tumaini Peace Talks Chief Mediator, for the courageous leadership and urged the team to remain imparwork.n their work.
“We commend the conducive environment created by the mediation team in the interest of peace and urge the team to maintain impartiality and fairness throughout the process,” the statement read.
The group called on the opposition groups to refrain from the use of violence but commit to dialogue.
“We further urge opposition groups and other non-signatories to refrain from the use of violence, remain committed to nonviolent political solutions, and uphold principles of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights laws, including the protection of civilians,” the statement read.
The group encouraged the opposition parties to engage in constructive dialogue with the government and other stakeholders to find peaceful solutions to the myriad challenges facing South Sudan.
Meanwhile recently the deputy Chief Mediator Ambassador Mohamed Guyo, in a separate press statement, said that the talks were adjourned to early 2025 at the government’s request.
“The mediation will resume in mid-January 2025 in Nairobi, and the Tumaini Initiative remains committed to fostering an inclusive and lasting peace for the people of South Sudan,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), Lual Dau, told the media that there was a deadlock among the parties, a move that was denied by the government.
The deputy chairperson of the government delegation, who is the Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang, expressed that the team is to consult leaders in Juba and is committed to returning back to the talks.